An Adams County man has filed a federal lawsuit against Roblox, claiming the online gaming platform failed to protect him from a predator who groomed and sexually assaulted him when he was a teenager.
The lawsuit, filed October 21st in Nebraska’s federal court, is part of a broader legal action involving more than 2,500 child victims across Roblox and Discord. The plaintiff, now 27, alleges that Roblox knowingly neglected to implement basic safety measures—such as stricter age verification, enhanced content moderation, and improved parental controls—to prevent predators from exploiting minors online.
Court documents state the man met his alleged abuser between 2012 and 2013, when he was about 14 or 15 years old. The predator, posing as another child within a housing-themed Roblox game, gradually built trust through in-game chats and private messages. That online friendship reportedly led to an in-person meeting, during which the man was allegedly abducted and sexually assaulted.
Attorneys representing the plaintiff argue that Roblox prioritized business growth over child safety. “Roblox knew children were being targeted and exploited on its platform and still refused to act,” said attorney Martin D. Gould. “The company made a calculated choice to protect its business model instead of protecting kids.”
Former Roblox employees have also accused the company of putting user numbers ahead of safety. One ex-employee reportedly said, “You can keep your players safe, but then there would be fewer of them on the platform. Or you can let them do what they want, and the numbers look good for investors.”
Despite these internal concerns, Roblox has long marketed itself as a family-safe platform, boasting “zero tolerance” for child endangerment. The lawsuit accuses the company of misleading parents and concealing the real risks children face on the platform.
The plaintiff is seeking both compensatory and punitive damages on multiple counts, including negligence, fraudulent misrepresentation, and strict liability.
Legal experts involved in the case emphasize the broader message: that major online platforms must take responsibility for user safety. Law enforcement officials also urge parents to stay vigilant. “Children don’t always know who they’re talking to online,” said Division Chief Dean Elliott of the Grand Island Police Department. “Predators often pose as teammates or friends to earn their trust.”
The case underscores a growing national concern over online child safety and the accountability of tech companies that host millions of young users every day.
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